David is so excited that he is having trouble settling down to go to bed! Now how are we ever going to manage to maintain such amazing enthusiasm?
August 18, 2009
Back to School Night for David
David is so excited that he is having trouble settling down to go to bed! Now how are we ever going to manage to maintain such amazing enthusiasm?
August 16, 2009
Bridal Veil Falls
Well, we found (what we believe to be) the trailhead to the hot springs! But by the time we got there the storm clouds rolling in (along with the lightning) looked pretty meanacing so we decided that our hike would need to wait for another day.
Now we had a problem. Our kids were expecting a hike. However, since they were all asleep at this point in the journey we decided upon a brillant plan "B". We just drove to Bridal Veil Falls for a much shorter hike. Our boys just knew we were driving and didn't really know which hike they were going on. So here we are at the trail head!
And off we go! It was pretty level so the boys thought it was great.
Nothing is nearly as fascinating to our boys as any body of water where you can throw rocks. But when that water is a river...how cool is that!
I got to walk with Aleky and he wanted to hold my hand all the way! How lucky am I?
Well, that hike didn't quite last 5 minutes so the boys wanted a little more adventure. We paused at the bottom of the falls for a picture but the boys wanted to play in the cold water. Then we directed them to a "trail" just east of the water.
Let's just say that the trails is much steeper than it looks. You can just see David coming up the rock slide.
The trail proved too much for Donovan and Michael and they turned around and headed back down the mountain. I can't really blame them. After all, David slid half way down the mountain until mommy saved him. Since I was already at the top with Aleky I put David in charge while I went to rescue the rest of the family (that's how I discovered that they had turned around and gone back down).
After saving my family it was time for a victory photo.
The family did make it to the top but we had to find the real trailhead which is to the east of the waterfall, just across from the bridge (from the parking area).
The sun came back during our ascent and was quite warm. Under these warmer conditions we decided to let our boys play in the water at the bottom of the falls.
Michael (trying to decide what to do next)
Throwing rocks is always a hit but it's so cool to throw big rocks into the river.(Short video clip of the rock throwing)
The boys headed back to the car after so much fun in the water.
But how do you get them to walk together? The three oldest boys are all in this picture below...can you see them?
Michelle had anticipated a little bit longer hike so she had prepared a picnic lunch. So we stopped at the nearest picnic table and had lunch in the park. It was such a fun family outing.
August 15, 2009
Ward Campout
August 11, 2009
Sam's Open House
And what a nice big brother, to share with Aleky.
The climbing wall was a big hit with our family. Even Grandma Petersen took a turn.
Aleky tried to climb too.
I even had the chance to scramble to the top.
Once the boys saw their cousins going all the way to the top of the wall they were hooked! They each tried going up several times (except Michael who was happy on the ground).
David and Donovan scramble up the wall.
David
They love these inflatable slides and had to make a couple more trips before we went home.
Here are a few clips of the climbing wall...
August 10, 2009
Painting the Kitchen
August 7, 2009
Harvest Time
August 6, 2009
It's A Boy (Consolation Prize)
As soon as we arrived home Elisa managed to get the information from David that we we're having a baby boy. Now Elisa knows I've been hoping for a girl so she must have assumed that we were somewhat disappointed by the news that we are having another boy, not a girl. That night she brought over a couple of consolation prizes to lift our spirits. (I don't think Elisa knew that Michelle was excited to find out that we were having another boy.)